Red Wings ship talented trio to Griffins, AHL

AP PhotoDetroit's Ville Leino celebrates a preseason goal. Leino could be back with the Red Wings soon after a strong preseason.

DETROIT -- Forwards Darren Helm and Ville Leino and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson could play on most, if not all, NHL teams. In Detroit, however, they must bide their time.

The depth-laden Red Wings simply do not have the salary-cap space or roster spots to accommodate this talented trio. They are exempt from waivers, so they were assigned Tuesday to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids, as the Red Wings pared their roster to 22 active players before Thursday's regular-season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena.

Helm and Leino are sure to return at some point, maybe sooner than later, depending on injuries, personnel moves and other factors.

"To me, they both are NHL players, and in my opinion, made the team; we just didn't have enough space for them," coach Mike Babcock said.

Helm, a checking center with blazing speed and grit, flourished after being inserted into the lineup midway through the first round of the playoffs last season.

Leino, a Finnish free agent with good offensive skills, seems to have made a quick transition to the NHL.

Ericsson is an excellent prospect, but might have a longer wait to return because of the club's depth on defense.

"They're as good of call-ups as we've had since I've been here," Babcock said. "They're going to give us excellent depth. We all know there's going to be injuries, and especially with just 12 forwards (on the active roster), there's going to be room for guys to play a lot of games."

Before learning he had been sent down, Leino indicated a willingness to remain in Grand Rapids for an extended time rather than return to Finland, which his contract allows.

"I haven't really made any deadlines, but I'm committed to being here," Leino said. "I want to play on the Red Wings, but of course you have to see how things go."

The Red Wings are under the $56.7 million salary cap with 12 forwards, eight defensemen and two goalies. Holland said he was continuing his efforts to deal a defenseman to create more room and clear a roster spot. The club is shopping Kyle Quincey, who lost a competition with Derek Meech for the final spot on defense.

"Right now we can keep our players, but once McCarty and Chelios come off (IR), we're going to have to make some moves. We're going to be capped out," general manager Ken Holland said. "So I am talking. Do we do something in the next day or two or do we kind of start the year and wait for our injured players to come back? But there's no doubt at some point in time we're going to have to trade somebody."

Quincey did not practice Tuesday after taking an injection for back pain the day before. He expects to be on the ice today but realizes he might be on borrowed time.

"I just want to know where I'm going to be," Quincey said. "If I'm here then that's great. If I'm somewhere else then I'll get a chance to play."

As much as Quincey wants to remain a Red Wing, he knows he would have a much better opportunity to play regularly on another team.

"In my heart I'm always a Red Wing. All the boys here are awesome, it's like family," Quincey said. "At the same time, if I'm going to (be scratched) for 80 games, then that's not good for me and my family."

If Downey clears waivers and is sent down, he will not be subject to re-entry waivers because he is not earning more than $100,000 in the minors. He could be recalled at various times because of his toughness.

"I know I had a good camp. I made some improvements, worked on my skating this summer. I feel I'm quicker," Downey said. "I feel like I'm a top-five enforcer in the league. I believe I do my job excellent. I think this team really needs me, especially this year because when you're on top of that mountain, people start coming (after you)."

Holmstrom held out of practice
Forward Tomas Holmstrom did not practice Tuesday, after being hit in the foot with a slap shot in Sunday's preseason finale. Babcock said X-rays revealed no breaks but that Holmstrom was not able to walk in his skate. Babcock said he did not think the injury would prevent Holmstrom from playing Thursday, but he will be re-evaluated today.